Zerus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Zerus is a planet in the StarCraft universe — a fictional universe where a series of computer games and books are set. The planet was the homeworld of the Zerg, and is an inhospitable planet that was wrought with severely unstable volcanic activity that was home to several species of giant insectoid creatures that were capable of surviving the harsh atmosphere.
[edit] History
The Xel'Naga — an advanced cosmic race that set to create and care for lesser races — journeyed through the universe to create a race with a purity of essence. The Xel'Naga settled on an ash-world named Zerus, and chose the most insignificant lifeform upon the planet: a larval creature known as the Zerg.
They nurtured these creatures, allowing them to affect their surroundings in almost parasitic ways. Eventually, they began infesting the creatures of the planet by burrowing themselves into the spinal cord of the creature and assimilating their DNA, turning them into monstrosities. The Zerg spread rapidly across the planet, infesting every living lifeform on the surface while rapidly growing in numbers.
The Xel'Naga, remembering that their failure with the Protoss was a result of pushing the evolution of a sentinent species too quickly, decided to follow a different path with the Zerg. So the Xel'Naga structured the collective sentience of the Zerg into a hive mind: The Zerg Overmind.
However, the pride of the Xel'Naga was their downfall. The Overmind, expanded its forces and eventually became aware of the Xel'Naga's presence. Finally, the Overmind severed its psychic link with the Xel'Naga and then launched an attack against them.
The greater whole of the Xel'Naga race was consumed by the Zerg. In this way, the Overmind gained the knowledge of its masters, including their experiments with evolution, proto-genetics, the use of the Khaydarin crystals, and the existence of an exceedingly powerful race known as the Protoss...
The Zerg eventually abandoned the planet, leaving it a burning hunk of lifeless rock.
Some fans believe that the planet Char is in fact, Zerus, since both are desolate, volcanic worlds. This is strengthened when the United Earth Directorate refers to Char as the Zerg "homeworld". This is incorrect, although it is possible that due to the similarilty of the two planets, the Zerg chose Char as their new base planet purposely to 'feel more at home'. Also, it's stated that Zerus is located at the core of the galaxy, while Char is probably located on or near the outer fringes.
[edit] References
- Underwood, Peter, Bill Roper, Chris Metzen and Jeffrey Vaughn. StarCraft (Manual). Irvine, Calif.: Blizzard Entertainment, 1998.
- StarCraft homepage at Blizzard Entertainment
- Battle.net StarCraft Compendium
[edit] External links
- StarCraft Legacy Planets - a fan site with information about every planet mentioned in StarCraft.
| StarCraft by Blizzard Entertainment | |
|---|---|
| StarCraft Universe | Gameplay of StarCraft • Psionic technology |
| Species | Terran • Protoss • Zerg • Xel'Naga • Hybrid |
| Factions and Organizations | Judicator Caste • Kel-Morian Combine • Khalai Caste • Protoss Conclave • Pirate Militias • Raynor's Raiders • Sons of Korhal • Templar Caste • Terran Confederacy • Umojan Protectorate • United Earth Directorate • Zerg Brood |
| Locations | Aiur • Antiga Prime • Braxis • Char • Chau Sara • Korhal • Mar Sara • Moria • Shakuras • Talematros • Tarsonis • Umoja • Zerus |
| Characters | Aldaris • Artanis • Gerard DuGalle • Edmund Duke • Samir Duran • Fenix • Sarah Kerrigan • Arcturus Mengsk • Nova • Raszagal • Jim Raynor • Alexei Stukov • Tassadar • Zeratul • Zerg Overmind • Minor Characters |
